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A PUBLIC university student was detained by police on Tuesday in connection with a speech allegedly containing seditious remarks made during the "Himpunan Solidarity Justice For Zara" rally held at Dataran Majlis Perbandaran Tawau.
Tawau District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Jasmin Hussin confirmed the arrest, stating that the 23-year-old, who is in her third semester of study, was taken into custody around 12.30pm in the district.
According to Jasmin, the arrest follows the lodging of 14 police reports regarding the woman’s speech, which was said to have touched on the position of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah, Tun Musa Aman.
“Preliminary investigations found that the woman was among those given the opportunity to speak during the rally. Her speech allegedly contained seditious elements against the Head of State and caused public anxiety,” he said when contacted by *Harian Metro*.
The case is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act 1948, Section 506 and Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Jasmin added that police have also summoned several other witnesses to assist with the investigation and assured that the probe will be conducted transparently and in accordance with legal procedures.
Earlier, local media reported that police had launched an investigation after a video of the woman’s speech at the rally went viral on social media, sparking public concern over its allegedly seditious content. - Sept 2, 2025